Note from the Phoenix: Thanks to everyone who has been reading this story. It got a LOT longer than I ever meant it to. There is a short epilogue after this. I need to go back and change a few things to fix some continuity flaws, but that's what happens when you write chapter to chapter without a plan! I'm surprised things worked out as well as they did. I hope you've enjoyed! This story has been a lot of work, but it has also been a lot of fun. I'm going to miss Daniel.

White Collar: The Eye of Sita

Chapter Thirty Eight

"That's your plan?"

"Simplest plans always work out the best." Neal pointed out.

"It's still a terrible idea."

"Do you have a better one?"

Daniel thought in silence for a moment.

"I didn't think so." Neal huffed.

"Peter is not going to be impressed." Daniel said. "Don't you have some sort of 'best behavior' clause in your FBI agreement?"

"Don't worry about Peter."

"I don't want you ending up wearing that anklet for the next hundred years because of this damn diamond."

"That's not going to happen."

"You're right, you'll go directly back to federal prison. No questions asked."

"You're such a pessimist. This is going to work."

"We should just tell Peter where it is. Ambassador Bhatt seems like a very reasonable guy, I bet he'd just let Peter have the statue."

"If Peter gets the diamond first you don't get your life back. We both know you have to be the one to bring the stone home if you ever want the NSA to trust you again, and without the NSA you'll never see Michelle or Liam again."

Daniel didn't have a reasonable argument for this and Neal didn't wait around for him to think of one. Peter was busy with Ambassador Bhatt in one of the offices somewhere with the surprising amount of paperwork that went along with arresting an American citizen on Embassy soil. Everything had been done quietly so the party was going on as though nothing had happened. Neal slid up next to Sara who was standing near one of the archways with a drink in hand.

"Everything okay?" Sara asked. "How's Daniel doing?"

"He'll be okay. He's tough."

"What about you? I can't even being to pretend that I fully understand what's going on, but I can only assume that if Daniel..."

"Daniel and I entered the Caffrey house under very different circumstances." Neal interrupted. "I'll tell you about it some time."

"Along with your real name?" Sara teased.

"That's really important to you, isn't it?"

"I'm just curious."

"Right." Neal replied doubtfully.

"So what's our next move?"

"Actually...I need a favor."

"The way you ask makes me think it's illegal in nature."

"It may involve some tampering of Embassy property."

"Will it help get the Hope Diamond back?"

"Maybe." Neal smiled.

"Then I'm in."

Sara listened carefully to the instructions Neal gave her. She started to question the wisdom of his plan but Neal stopped her with a quick kiss before going back to where Daniel was making idle chatter with a group of enthralled older women. He was telling them tales of his adventures as a Federal Agent along with a fictitious heroic yarn about how he got his scar. With his back to the group Neal pretended to just be enjoying the party.

Despite the fact that Glass had been arrested the guards were still on full alert. Neal assumed that they were actually being paid by whoever Glass had planned to give the diamond too. With Glass out of the way the new owner of the Hope wouldn't have to give him anything in return.

About thirty feet away up on the dais the statue of Sita glittered with her diamond encrusted outfit. The clay hadn't had a chance to fully dry yet and would still be soft to the touch. Neal glanced down at his watch and decided that Sara would have had plenty of time to get into position by now. Grabbing a drink from a passing waiter Neal walked up behind Daniel and made it look like he accidentally bumped into him.

"I'm sorry, Si..." Neal stopped cold when Daniel turned around to face him.

"You!" Daniel spat in disgusted recognition.

With his eyes widened in a combination of mock surprise and horror Neal froze for a moment. Daniel swung at him with all his strength. Ducking just in time to avoid being knocked with what may have proven to be a fatal blow Neal threw his recently acquired drink in Daniel's face before making a run for it.

Roaring like an enraged bear Daniel chased after Neal. He grabbed Neal by the back of his collar and jerked him back. Neal threw his elbow back and caught Daniel under the jaw, but Daniel kept his grip on Neal's jacket. Neal freed himself by simply slipping out of the tailored jacket. Cries of alarm from the people nearest the sudden fight started to attract other on lookers.

Daniel tackled Neal from behind allowing them to stumble closer to the clay statue. Driven to the floor under Daniel Neal experienced a true adrenaline rush as his 'attacker' wrapped his hands around his throat. They had spent hours as teenagers perfecting their simulated fighting in case a con called for it. However, in an effort to make the diversion look real Daniel was gripping down too tight for comfort. Neal brought his fist up and struck Daniel in the ribs hard. Crying out breathlessly Daniel released him.

Two of the guards broke away from their post at the statue and moved in to separate Neal and Daniel as they continued to brawl. When they got close enough Daniel grabbed Neal by the front of his shirt and hauled him to his feet. Neal took a deep breath and braced himself to be thrown into the on coming guards. Daniel shoved Neal into the men with enough force to send all three of them to the floor. Neal made sure to catch one of the guards across the nose with his elbow, easily breaking it.

When Daniel renewed his attack Neal was able to move out of the way at the last minute so that Daniel could knock the other guard out but make it look like a mistake. It was important to sell the idea the crowd that this was just between Neal and Daniel and that Daniel was the aggressor. Neal scrambled away and got within ten feet of the dais with the statue. Daniel came for a him again and they exchanged a few blows. It wasn't long before they both panting for breath with the athletic act.

"Any time now, Sara." Neal muttered to himself.

Neal was afraid that he and Daniel weren't going to be able to keep up the show much longer when the lights finally went out. The gawking audience turned from curious alarm to true panic when plunged into darkness. Neal had memorized where his target was and made a dash for it. The remaining guards had tightened their circle around the statue, but Daniel easily took care of them.

Neal dug his fingers into the cold clay over the statue's heart and dug out the Hope Diamond. Once he had the stone he threw his shoulder into the statue to tip it over. What he wasn't counting on was someone knocking into him at the same time. Still in darkness Neal fell along with the statue. After hitting the ground Neal was surprised to find his arm pinned to the floor. His hand under the heavy wet statue was still clutched around the Hope Diamond. Neal struggled to pull himself free as the lights came back up.

"Neal!" Daniel cried out.

"I'm not hurt." Neal assured. "Just go!"

"Federal Agent!" A familiar voice barked above the panicked crowd.

"That's Walters, Daniel he's here for you. Get out of here."

"I can't just leave you here." Daniel said as he tried to pull Neal's arm out from under the wet clay.

"Daniel, I wouldn't be leaving with you even if you got me out." Neal said firmly. "Go, getting caught by Walters is not going to make anything better."

Daniel sighed heavily and nodded. He leaned down and kissed the top of Neal's head before disappearing into the crowd of fleeing party guests. Neal looked his situation over once more and tried unsuccessfully to free himself. His arm had sunk into the soft clay as the statue had fallen on top of it. Although not painful he was still trapped by the heavy clay. He reasoned that if he opened his hand and let go of the Hope he could slip free, but letting go of the stone wasn't an option.

"Neal Caffrey, I should have known." Walters growled as he stepped up to him. "Where's Daniel?"

"I don't know." Neal answered. "Can you get someone to help get this off me?"

"Not until you tell me what's going on."

"He was attacked." A man standing near by replied. "I saw the whole thing. This guy just jumped him for no reason."

"It's true." Neal agreed. "Knocked me right into the statue."

"Oh for crying out loud." Walters grumbled.

"Neal?" Peter called out.

"Peter? Peter, over here!"

Peter reached the scene with a look of an angry parent that had come home to find the living room destroyed by rough housing kids. However when he saw that Neal appeared injured his expression softened slightly. Acting more injured than he was Neal grimaced in pain and tugged at his trapped arm.

"Walters, don't just stand there." Peter demanded. "Help me get this off him."

"Burke, the Caffreys plotted every second of all of this..."

"Shut up, Walters. Help or go away."

Walters ground his teeth together but he did reach down and help Peter pry up on the ruined statue. With some of the weight removed Neal braced his free hand against the heap of diamonds and mud that was holding him down. Pulling hard he finally tore himself free. Rolling away from the statue Neal held his freed arm protectively against his chest. Peter came over and helped him to his feet. Walters came up with hand cuffs already in hand.

"Where's the Hope Diamond, Caffrey?" Walters demanded. "Put your hands up."

"Walters..." Peter warned.

"It's okay, Peter." Neal offered as he raised his hands.

Walters stepped up and skillfully checked all of Neal's pockets. Even with every pocket turned inside out Walters continued his search. Neal peacefully allowed the frustrated Agent to run his hands over him in hopes of finding the diamond somehow hidden.

"You go any further and you're going to have to buy me dinner." Neal chuckled.

"Don't be a smart ass, Caffrey, you're in a lot of trouble."

"I haven't done anything. There are dozens of witnesses, I was attacked."

"Attacked my ass!"

"Walters," Peter intervened "why are you even here?"

"I have an arrest warrant for Daniel Caffrey."

"Okay, fine, unless you have one for Neal Caffrey I suggest you stop harassing him."

"Peter has a point," Neal smiled "you have been bringing a lot of unfounded charges against me lately. I could file a complaint."

Walters ground his teeth together in barely contained rage. He turned his ire on Peter, but seeing that he was defeated he simply glared at him spitefully. Peter remained calm which just served to anger Walters further.

"You two deserve each other and when you both go down in flames you'd best believe I will be there to piss on your ashes."

"Wow." Neal said impressed with Walters' vivid imagery.

Walters turned and stormed off. Peter turned to Neal and narrowed his eyes. Neal flashed him an innocent smile that Peter didn't buy for a second. Suddenly looking weary Peter shook his head sadly and sighed.

"Normally I'd ask, or rather demand to know what the hell is going on, but in this one case I think it's better that I just not know."

"It really is."

"Okay. I need to finish here with Glass. I plan to leave for New York first thing in the morning, you'd better be ready to go by then."

Neal was a little surprised that Peter was willing to just let him go for the rest of the night. Before Peter could change his mind Neal headed towards the door. The Embassy workers had gotten control of the panic and people were leaving in an orderly fashion. Neal assumed that Peter had somehow smoothed things out with the Ambassador as soon as word of the fight had reached him. They had not figured out who Glass' partner was, but they couldn't win everything.

Before he left the Embassy Neal hunted down Sara. He had sent her to the system that had dimmed the lights to get the audiences attention at the beginning of the night and turn the house lights down for the snatch. Neal and Sara found each other quickly and stepped over to the alcoves once again for privacy.

"How was the fight?" Sara asked with a smile.

"Let's just say even though it was staged I will still be sore in the morning." Neal answered ruefully. "I'll see you back in New York."

"What about the Hope?"

"You're off the case." Neal smiled and gave her a kiss.

"And Peter?"

"He's given me a free pass on this one."

"I'm not sure if you deserve it or not." Sara teased.

"Oh I know I don't. I'll find a way to make it up to him."

"I think getting the Hope back to the Smithsonian will cover it." Sara replied. "I assume Daniel has it. Are you sure he'll take it back?"

"He will. I promise. I have to go."

"Neal, wait...curiosity is killing me. Please, I won't tell anyone else I swear."

Neal smiled and leaned in to whisper his birth name into Sara's ear. She furrowed her brow for a second.

"I like 'Caffrey' better." Sara said.

"So do I."

Neal gave Sara once last kiss before leaving. Any guards that were on Glass' or his partner's pay role clearly had decided to cut their losses and no one stopped Neal from leaving. Once back on the streets of DC Neal called for a taxi. He and Daniel hadn't prearranged a meeting place since Daniel was meant to already have the Hope. However he had a fairly good idea where he could find Daniel.

Getting to the National Museum of Art Neal found Daniel waiting for him at the bottom of the marble steps. Daniel smiled brightly and drew Neal into a powerful bear hug. Neal returned the affection even though he was ready to physically drop from exhaustion.

"I knew you'd show up here." Daniel chuckled as he released Neal.

"And I knew you'd know that." Neal smiled.

"It's been a wild ride, hasn't it?"

"It really has."

"You still glad I'm alive?"

"Of course. I just wish you'd told me sooner."

"Me too."

The conversation turned to an awkward silence. Neal knew that Daniel wanted to ask him to go with him. At the same time Daniel already knew that Neal would say 'no'. Smiling sadly Daniel just reached out and ran his hand through Neal's hair before taking a step back.

"So, how did you get the Hope past Walters?"

"I...um...I swallowed it." Neal admitted.

"What happened to 'it's a part of history and a National Treasure not to be disgraced'?" Daniel mocked.

"You want the diamond or not?"

"I don't know...she seems somehow violated now."

"Daniel," Neal growled as he crossed his arms over his abdomen "I'm in no mood for jokes right now."

"Dessert was a little too rich, eh?"

"Believe it or not two hundred and fifty million dollars worth of diamond isn't exactly settling well in my stomach."

"Imagine that. Come on, let's find a hotel so you can puke up the world's most valuable diamond in privacy."

Daniel put his arm over Neal's shoulder and started to guide him across the Mall. As they walked Neal found his stomach twisting for reasons other than the large diamond sloshing around in it. Daniel seemed to pick up on Neal's uneasiness and stopped.

"Neal?"

"Are we ever going to see each other again?"

"Don't worry, I'll send you a birthday card."